EP0388841A1 - Einstellung einer entfernt aufgestellten Frankiermaschine für den Notfall - Google Patents

Einstellung einer entfernt aufgestellten Frankiermaschine für den Notfall Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0388841A1
EP0388841A1 EP90105119A EP90105119A EP0388841A1 EP 0388841 A1 EP0388841 A1 EP 0388841A1 EP 90105119 A EP90105119 A EP 90105119A EP 90105119 A EP90105119 A EP 90105119A EP 0388841 A1 EP0388841 A1 EP 0388841A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
meter
postage
emergency
customer
mode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90105119A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0388841B1 (de
Inventor
John Gregory Haines
Tracy Floyd Slaughter
Charles Philipp Barker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
Alcatel Satman SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Neopost Technologies SA, Alcatel Satman SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP0388841A1 publication Critical patent/EP0388841A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0388841B1 publication Critical patent/EP0388841B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00161—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/0008—Communication details outside or between apparatus
    • G07B2017/00153—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information
    • G07B2017/00169—Communication details outside or between apparatus for sending information from a franking apparatus, e.g. for verifying accounting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/00419—Software organization, e.g. separation into objects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00733—Cryptography or similar special procedures in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00935—Passwords

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to postage meters and more particularly to electronic postage meters capable of being remotely set.
  • the present invention provides a technique for securely adding postage to a remote setting postage meter without the remote setting code.
  • the technique is readily implemented in the meter software.
  • the meter is manually set by a Post Office Clerk by putting the meter into a post office mode by pressing selected keys, entering the desired amount of postage, and exiting the mode. After exiting the mode, the meter is capable of printing postage. After printing some non-zero postage, the customer notifies a data center computer of the manual setting by performing an emergency clear procedure.
  • the customer puts the meter into a remote setting mode by pressing selected keys. In this mode, the meter will generate and display an emergency request code.
  • the customer passes the emergency request code with other identifying information to the data center computer.
  • the computer generates its own emergency request code and compares the codes. If they are equal, then the computer will communicate an emergency enable code to the customer for entry into the meter. Upon confirmation against an internally generated emergency enable code, the meter will enable itself to be remotely set again.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred postage meter 10 that can be remotely set in the field by the customer.
  • Meter 10 includes a print mechanism 12, accounting registers, and control electronics, all enclosed within a secure meter housing 13.
  • a keyboard 14 and a display 16 provide the user interface.
  • a connector 17 provides an electrical connection with a mailing machine for control of the printing process.
  • the control electronics includes a digital microprocessor 18 which controls the operation of the meter, including the basic functions of printing and accounting for postage, and optional features such as department accounting and remote setting.
  • the microprocessor is connected to a clock 20, a read only memory (ROM) 22, a random access memory (RAM) 24, and a battery augmented memory (BAM) 26.
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • BAM battery augmented memory
  • ROM 22 is primarily used for storing nonvolatile information such as software and data/function tables necessary to run the microprocessor. The ROM can only be changed at the factory.
  • RAM 24 is used for intermediate storage of variables and other data during meter operation.
  • BAM 26 is primarily used to store accounting information that must be kept when the meter is powered down. The BAM is also used for storing certain flags and other information that is necessary to the functioning of the microprocessor. Such information includes meter identifying data such as the meter serial number and BAM initialization date, and a number of parameters relevant to the remote configuration of the meter.
  • the meter Prior to being able to perform an emergency remote setting procedure, the meter must have been capable of being remotely set. However, the meter cannot be remotely set until it has been "installed" at a customer site by an Installation Procedure (see Appendix A) which links the meter, the customer, and the customer lease on the data center computer. This linkage may be securely removed by a Withdrawal Procedure (see Appendix B) or an Exchange Procedure (see Appendix C).
  • Appendix A which links the meter, the customer, and the customer lease on the data center computer. This linkage may be securely removed by a Withdrawal Procedure (see Appendix B) or an Exchange Procedure (see Appendix C).
  • CTID configuration transaction identifier
  • STID setting transaction identifier
  • Fig. 2a is a high level flow chart of the process necessary for manually adding postage to the postage meter in an emergency without the remote setting code and subsequently clearing the meter for future remote settings and emergency settings.
  • a first stage 30 the customer takes the meter to the Post Office where a Post Office Clerk manually adds postage to the meter without the remote setting code.
  • the first stage causes the meter to set a first flag (called flag A) within the meter.
  • flag A a first flag
  • the meter can now be used to print postage, but it cannot be remotely set nor can the Post Office manually reset the meter again until later in the method.
  • flag B a second flag
  • a third stage 34 the customer then performs an emergency clear procedure in order to notify the data center computer of the manual setting performed by the Post Office.
  • This stage causes the meter to clear flag A, thereby allowing the meter to be remotely set and to print postage, but not to be manually set by the Post Office. Due to security concerns, the meter must be remotely set at least once between manual settings.
  • a fourth stage 36 the customer performs a remote setting procedure, thereby causing the meter to clear flag B. The meter may now set remotely or manually.
  • Fig. 2b is a high level flowchart of the process for notifying the data center computer of the manual setting as shown in stage 34 of Fig. 2a.
  • the customer obtains an emergency request code generated by the meter.
  • This emergency request code is essentially a password to the data center computer, and is based on a combination of factors, the combination of which only the data center computer would know.
  • the customer confirms the emergency request code with the data center computer.
  • the computer Upon configuration from the computer, the computer provides an emergency enable code back to the customer.
  • the emergency enable code is essentially a password from the data center computer to the meter stating that it is permissible to be remotely set by the emergency remote setting amount.
  • the customer enters the emergency enable code into the meter.
  • the meter confirms the emergency enable code with an internally generated emergency enable code and thereby clears flag A.
  • Fig. 3 is a detailed flow chart of stage 30 as shown in Fig. 2a.
  • Some meters have displays that are sophisticated and allow for user prompting. Therefore, in each of the steps described below, where the meter requires certain information in order to move to the next step, some meters may prompt the user to make that step.
  • a first step 40 the customer takes the meter to a Post Office where a Post Office Clerk puts the meter into a Post Office mode by pressing a certain key sequence. This prevents customers and other unauthorized personnel from accidentally entering the Post Office mode.
  • the meter then enters the Post Office mode by setting a mode register located in BAM (step 42). This prevents the meter from being used for printing purposes while performing this procedure.
  • the meter then checks whether a flag B is already set. Due to a security requirement that only one manual setting procedure be performed between remote setting procedures, flag B is set every time the manual setting procedure is completed and non-zero postage is printed and is cleared when an emergency clear procedure and a remote setting procedure is performed. If flag B is set, then the meter displays an error message to the Post Office Clerk (step 46), then exits the Post Office mode (step 48).
  • the meter notifies the Post Office Clerk that the meter is a remote setting meter and that this procedure is an emergency setting procedure (step 50). If the meter were not remote setting, then the meter would be in a standard manual setting mode. Once notified, the Post Office Clerk then performs a manual setting procedure (step 52).
  • the manual setting procedure includes entering a setting amount (which would be an emergency setting amount under the present circumstances) and using a Post Office key, thereby authorizing the meter to print the setting amount of postage.
  • the customer is then given a form 3603 by the Post Office Clerk as a receipt.
  • the meter sets flag A signifying that the meter is enabled has been manually set by the Post Office.
  • the meter then exits the Post Office mode by setting the mode register (step 56).
  • the meter can now be used to print postage.
  • the meter can subsequently be returned to the Post Office for modification of the emergency setting amount before printing any non-zero postage by repeating the above procedure.
  • Fig. 4 is a detailed flow chart of substage 34a as shown in Fig. 2b.
  • a first step 60 the customer puts the meter into a remote setting mode by pressing a certain key sequence. This prevents the customer from acciden­tally entering the remote setting mode.
  • the meter Upon entry of the key sequence, the meter enters the remote setting mode by setting the mode register in BAM (step 62). This prevents the meter from being used from printing postage while being remotely set.
  • step 64 the meter tests whether flag A is already set (meaning that an emergency setting procedure has not been performed since the last remote setting procedure). If flag A is set, then the meter allows the customer to perform the standard remote setting procedure (step 66) which would clear flag A as in stage 36 at Fig. 2a.
  • step 68 the meter tests whether flag B is set (meaning that the Post Office has manually set the meter and that the meter has printed non-zero postage). If flag B is not set, then the customer is notified that non-zero postage is needed to be printed and the meter exits the mode (step 70).
  • the meter displays information needed later in the method (step 72). This includes the Ascending Register amount, the Descending Register amount, the emergency resetting amount and the emergency request code.
  • the Ascending Register contains the amount of postage the meter has printed since the meter has been initialized.
  • the Descending Register contains the amount of postage the meter is presently authorized to print.
  • the meter then generates and displays an emergency request code (step 74).
  • the emergency request code is a code generated by the meter which is partially based on the Ascending Register amount, and the STID. The encryption process is described in greater detail below.
  • Fig. 5 is a detailed flowchart of substage 34b as shown in Fig. 2b.
  • the customer establishes communication with the data center computer over a standard telephone.
  • the customer may communicate with the data center computer on a touch tone telephone by pressing the keys.
  • Alternative embodiments may utilize a telephone communications device that includes a user or meter interface and a modem, or by voice recognition over a telephone.
  • the customer first enters a request code (which describes that the agent is attempting to do an emergency clear procedure for a meter) and a password to the computer (step 80).
  • a request code which describes that the agent is attempting to do an emergency clear procedure for a meter
  • the customer enters the meter serial number which can also be found on the exterior of the meter.
  • the customer then enters the customer account number, the Ascending Register amount, the manual setting amount, and the Descending Register amount, some of which were previously obtained and written down above (step 82).
  • the agent then enters the emergency request code from the meter (step 84). From the information above, the computer is also able to generate an emergency request code (step 86). The computer checks that its emergency request code matches the emergency request code generated by the meter (step 88). If they do not match, then the computer checks emergency request codes dependent upon prior STIDs. This enables the computer to determine how many remote settings are outstanding. If the codes still do not match, then the agent has improperly entered numbers or some other error has occurred. If the codes do not match, then the agent is notified (step 90) and must repeat the above steps starting with entering the meter serial number (step 82) or terminate the transaction. The computer then checks the other information entered by the customer to see if it agrees with what is already stored on the computer (step 92). If the information does not match then some error has occurred so the customer is notified (step 90) as above.
  • the computer If the two codes match and the other information is accurate, then the computer generates an encrypted emergency enable code using the CTID and the meter serial number (step 94). The encryption process is described in greater detail below.
  • the data center computer then increments the CTID located within the computer (step 96).
  • the computer then communicates the encoupled emergency enable code to the customer along with a request for the form 3603 to be mailed to the meter company from the customer to validate the transaction.
  • Fig. 6 is a detailed flowchart of substage 34c shown above in Fig. 2b.
  • the customer enters the computer generated emergency enable code into the meter (step 100).
  • the meter then generates its own emergency enable code (step 102) and compares that code with the entered emergency enable code (step 104). If the codes do not agree, then the customer is notified (step 106). The customer may reenter the computer generated code or call an agent at the meter company for help. If the configuration enable codes agree, then the meter knows that it is authorized to set the emergency setting amount.
  • the meter increments the CTID and sets flag B.
  • the emergency request code and the emergency enable code are generated by an encryption routine, stored both in the meter ROM and in the data center computer.
  • the encryption routine is a nonlinear algorithm that generates a number that is apparently random to an outside person.
  • the encryption routine is performed by an encryption program in combination with a permanent encryption table. In the preferred embodiment, the encryption routine uses a 16 digit (or 64 bit) key and a 16 digit input number.
  • the emergency request code is generated by the encryption routine performed on the STID as the key and the Ascending Register amount as the input number.
  • the configuration enable code is generated by the encryption routine performed on the CTID as the key and the meter serial number as the input number.
  • the CTID and STID are 16 digit numbers that are stored in BAM.
  • the initial value of the CTID and STID are obtained by performing an algorithm upon the BAM initialization date in combination with the meter serial number.
  • the BAM initialization date is used to prevent starting with the same CTID and STID every time the meter is initialized.
  • the algorithm is not stored in the meter for security reasons.
  • the initial CTID and STID are stored in BAM during the initialization process at the factory. After the computer has been notified of the manual setting procedure, the CTID is incremented by a nonlinear algorithm within the meter and the computer.
  • the codes generated by the encryption routine are 16-digits long.
  • the lower digits of the codes are then communicated to the agent by the meter or the data center computer.
  • the number of lower digits that are communicated is determined by the HSL value (see Appendix D for details).
  • the present invention provides a secure and efficient technique for allowing meters to be remotely set in an emergency by the customer.
  • the electronics of the configurable meter may be structured differently.
  • a direct connection via modem can be used instead of using the tones on the telephone.
  • the encryption routine could use other meter identifying information to generate the emergency request and enable codes such as the CTID or STID in both codes.
  • the encryption key used to generate the request codes could be composed of a meter cycle counter. Other security measures may be implemented such as reviewing periodic inspection of the meter.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
EP90105119A 1989-03-23 1990-03-19 Einstellung einer entfernt aufgestellten Frankiermaschine für den Notfall Expired - Lifetime EP0388841B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/327,487 US5058025A (en) 1989-03-23 1989-03-23 Emergency post office setting for remote setting meter
US327487 1989-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0388841A1 true EP0388841A1 (de) 1990-09-26
EP0388841B1 EP0388841B1 (de) 1994-10-26

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US (1) US5058025A (de)
EP (1) EP0388841B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69013544T2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5585613A (en) * 1995-11-24 1996-12-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering apparatus including means for guarding against printing a postage value without accouting therefor
EP0690417A3 (de) * 1994-06-02 1999-09-15 Neopost Industrie Frankiermaschine mit elektronischer Zugangskontrollsicherheit
EP0910048A3 (de) * 1993-10-14 2000-05-17 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. Elektronisches Postwiegesystem und Verfahren

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US5715164A (en) * 1994-12-14 1998-02-03 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag System and method for communications with postage meters
US5701250A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-12-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Setting by phone for counter resettable postage meters
US5974307A (en) * 1995-12-21 1999-10-26 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and system communicating with a voice response unit over a cellular telephone network
US5812945A (en) * 1995-12-22 1998-09-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Metered payment cellular telephone communication system
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US5768383A (en) * 1995-12-22 1998-06-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Authorized cellular voice messaging and/or analog or digital data communication access and verification control system
US5765106A (en) * 1995-12-22 1998-06-09 Pitney Bowes Inc. Authorized cellular telephone communication access and verification control system
US5740247A (en) * 1995-12-22 1998-04-14 Pitney Bowes Inc. Authorized cellular telephone communication payment refill system
US6047273A (en) * 1998-08-04 2000-04-04 Vaghi Family Intellectual Properties, Llc System and method for remotely providing mailing/shipping services to customers
US9992175B2 (en) * 2016-01-08 2018-06-05 Moneygram International, Inc. Systems and method for providing a data security service
JP2020119298A (ja) * 2019-01-24 2020-08-06 キオクシア株式会社 メモリシステム

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0910048A3 (de) * 1993-10-14 2000-05-17 Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc. Elektronisches Postwiegesystem und Verfahren
EP0690417A3 (de) * 1994-06-02 1999-09-15 Neopost Industrie Frankiermaschine mit elektronischer Zugangskontrollsicherheit
US5585613A (en) * 1995-11-24 1996-12-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage metering apparatus including means for guarding against printing a postage value without accouting therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69013544T2 (de) 1995-03-02
DE69013544D1 (de) 1994-12-01
US5058025A (en) 1991-10-15
EP0388841B1 (de) 1994-10-26

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